Process and machine for printing upon the open edges of books



July 15, 1952 F. MEYER 2,603,147-

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Filed July 12, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

July 15, 1952 F. MEYER 2,603,147

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1946 [Jwd/Li g BY I I 0%, Mvm

July 15, 1952 F. MEYER 2,603,147 PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Filed July 12, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 6: INVENTOR. fled/Zg/er BY a, M M

July 15, 1952 F. MEYER 2,603,147

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Filed July 12, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 4 4-6: INVENTOR.

fied/Zggen 60M, v M

July 15, 1952 2,603,147

F. MEYER PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Filed July 12, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BY fiedflger; M, M gg/ July 15, 1952 MEYER 2,603,147

PRQCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Filed July 12, 1946 8 Sheets$heet 6 I J 7 I I x /95 57 34 y 5 153 I l 99 102 3% 5 a 52 1.93 b, '53 3 a2 1 9 86 195 7g J75 0 7 1742 173 205 v 177 194 86 J53 I \O E 217 106 INVENTOR.

July 15, 1952 MEYER 2,603,147

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Filed July 12, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 July 15, 1952 F. MEYER 2,603,147

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING UPON THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 12, 1946 :ing upon the opening edges Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR PRINTING -UPDN THE OPEN EDGES OF BOOKS Fred Meyer, Chicago, Ill;

.Applicationduly 12, 1946, Serial No..683,184

' 22 Claims.

7 1 This invention relates to printing and more particularly to a processand machine .for printof the leaves of books, such as directories, textbooks, magazines, catalogs or the like on which it is desirable to provide an'index for the purpose of readily lo- :cating the various topics or classes of subject matter therein. The invention also has applica- "tion to the printing of advertising or decorative :matter'on such opening edges.

JHeretofore, in view of the desirability of such an inexpensive type of indexing, advertising, or ornamentation, various processes and machines :have been devised for printing upon the openingedges ofthe leaves of books, but for one reason. or another such processes or machines were :found to possess inherent disadvantages or were ineffective in operation, thereby creating problems which have remained unsolved until the present invention and which have retarded the commercial use of such edge printing. Because the opening .edges of the leaves are unevenly supported when a book is clamped or held in normal position thus preventing the type members from .engaging the edges with equalized pressure and 'resulting in uneven impressions and printing which became faint when the book was flexed, the

:process and apparatus disclosed in my earlier -Patent No. l,249,4l8 of December 11, 1917, were devised in an .attempt to accomplish more even and clear cut printing.

.Inpracti'cingthe processof my earlier patent,

aailexible .book was/bent" intermediate its openi-ngedgesand its back edges so that the opening edges of..the.'leaves were arranged en echelon in aplane forming an angleof less than forty-five degrees-to.thefplanes oi the leaves. Thetype was then caused to bear against the edges and exposed edgesurtaces of the leaves in a direction .subs'tantially'at rightangles to the plane of'the book edges, the book leaves having been clamped .together by a member bearing downbookwas flexed or bent in either direction so that the edges of the leaves were drawn out of,

position to form an inclined plane.

Although the results obtained by the practice of the process and use ofthe apparatus disclosed in my said earlier patent were considerably-better than any obtained: by earlier mathods and structures at'that time, it was found upon itsfurther use that certain conditions arose which caused undesirable variations in the results obtained. One such variation was occasioned by differences in the thickness of'thepaper, causing some books to be thicker or thinner than the, initial book in accordance with which the printing form had previously been set "up, and because no means had been-provided to compensate ,for variations in paper thickness, the printed matter on the thicker or thinner books was out of registry beyond commercial ac- .ceptance.

It was further discovered that because of the manner in which the pages were clamped during the printing operation, the opening edge portions of .the leaves-were somewhat unconfined and almost wholly uncompressed, and thus were capable of somerelative yielding movement as they were engaged by the indexing type. This yielding movement of the leaves caused a print- -ing impression on their edges that was somewhat smudged and less sharp than commercially acceptable. 'No means was provided to cause the edges of the leaves to present a substantially nonyielding rigid printing face. Further, no means was'provided to arrestand prevent movement of "the entire book at the time of printing, i. e., from the time the inked type first touched the opening edges to the time of finally leav- -ing said opening edges.

.AISOfil'l my'earlier process there was some de- ,gree of offsetting lof'the ink -from the upper edge surfaceof one leafto the under edge surface of the leaf .immediately thereabove so that when the book was fiexedin either direction out'oi .normal position, theprinting would be visible. However, this ofisetting of my early process'was uncontrolled in that it resulted naturally from the limited movement of the leaves during han- .dling of the books, and when the book inuse was flexed'in the direction opposite to that in which it had beenfiexed for printing, the-visible printing resulting from the uncontrolled offsetting was indistinct and smudged and-therefore incapable of-"meeting the commercial requirements of. sharp printing impressions when fiexed in eitherdirection.

It .is, therefore, one of the objects of my invention to provide an improved process and apparatus forprinting sharp and. clear impressionsupon the opening edges of the leaves of books such as directories, textbooks, magazines,

. catalogs or thelike. a Anotherpbject of the present invention-isto provide an improved process and machine for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which clear and sharp printing impressions are made and are then offset by a controlled series of operations so that the printing is distinctly visible not only when a book is in normal position but also when it is flexed in either direction.

Still another object is to provide an improved process and apparatus for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which a book is flexed intermediate its edges so that the opening edges thereof are en echelon in a plane forming an angle to the planes of the leaves and the upper surface edge portions are slightly exposed, the type is then caused to print on the edges and on said slightly exposed edge portions of the upper surfaces of the leaves, the book is then restored to normal position with the opening edges thereof in a. plane perpendicular to the plane of the leaves, pressure is then applied at right angles to the leaves to compress them at their opening edges and to effect a definite oifsetting of the ink from the upper surface edge portion of one sheet to the under surface edge portion of a sheet immedi ately thereabove, and then the book is again flexed intermediate its back and front edges with the opening edges thereof under compression to effect a further offsetting of the ink by a wiping or rubbing action.

Another object is to provide an improved process and apparatus similar to that referred to in the next preceding object except that as a final operation the book may be flexed back and forth under pressure in a weaving or rippling motion to effect a definite and extended offsetting by a wiping action in both directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for printing ,upon the opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which the inclined surface formed by the opening edges of the book when flexed is provided with sufficient rigidity as to be substantially unyielding when the type members are forced thereagainst during the printing operation, thereby effecting sharp, clear printing impressions.

Another further object of the invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which pressure is applied against the inclined surface formed by the opening edges of the book when flexed so that said inclined surface to be printed will be substantially rigid and unyielding when the type members are forced thereagainst during the printing operation, thereby effecting sharp, clear printing impressions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which a book is flexed or bent intermediate its edges so that the open ing edges thereof are en echelon in a plane forming an acute angle to the planes of the leaves and the upper surface edge portions are slightly exposed, the movement of the book being arrested and the book being supported on its underside by a platen and being clamped thereagainst by a member engaging the upper leaf adjacent its opening edge portion, then a pressure member is brought to bear against the inclined surface formed by the opening edges so as to compress the opening edge portions and to cause the said.

inclined surface to be substantially rigid and un-- yielding when the type members are forced thereagainst during the printing operation, thereby efiecting sharp, clear printing impressions.

Another further object of the invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus similar to that referred to in the next preceding object except that the said pressure member and the movable bed carrying the type members are moved on the same are against said inclined surface to be printed and the pressure member may be provided with apertures through which the type members are projected for printing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which the variation in the thickness of the paper leaves is compensated for and the printed impressions from book to book are always caused to be in properregistry with pages being printed.

Still another object is to provide an improved process and apparatus for printing p opening edges of the leaves of books in accordance with which a book may be flexed intermediate its back bound and front opening edges in such a manner that the opening edges thereof are en echelon in a plane forming an angle to the planes of the leaves and that the distance between the. opening edges of the top and bottom leaves is fixed or constant regardless of variations in the thickness of the paper stock comprising the leaves being printed, the exposed dges of the top and bottom leaves of respective books always reaching the same two extreme spaced positions and therefore the spread of the exposed edges always being constant from book to book, and, correspondingly, the exposed opening edges of the intermediate pages assuming substantially their proper spaced relationship.

Another object is to provide an improved machine for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books that is automatic and capable of carrying on the various steps of my improved process simultaneously with respect to a plurality of books and with a minimum of handling and attention by an operator.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as this description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an old and well-known type of printing press to which a mechanism embodying the present invention has been applied and by which the various steps of the process comprising the present invention may be carried out, the press being shown in open position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the press shown in Fig. 1 but illustrating the press in closed, printing position.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the press in closed or printing position, taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the movablebed and inking and printing mechanism taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, but with lower portion of the inclined platen bed removed and certain elements broken away for clarity.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the press taken on the line 5--5 in Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the inclined platen bed or chute with the four operational the bed by means of a clamp 60 for movement therewith.

The foregoing parts which have been described generally comprise a mechanism that is conventional to old and well-known printing machines of this type, and hereinafter there will be described in detail the novel modifications and additions in structure which have been made thereto in order to carry out the steps of the improved and novel process.

As shown more clearly in Figs. and 6, the improved machine is capable of handling four books at the same time, the four positions or books being designated on the inclined platen bed or chute by the letters A, B, C and D. It is to be understood that the term book or books wherever used herein may include any possible combination of flexible sheets whose opening edges are to be printed. The term may include any book, magazine, directory or catalog, either singly or in multiple, or the flexible portion of an inflexible book before being bound in a rigid cover, or may mean any combination of sheets which may be flexed for the purpose of printing on their opening edges. A book may be placed initially in a chute comprising position A and thereafter the book may automatically pass downwardly by gravity to the successive positions B, C and D, in which positions it is processed in accordance with the steps of my improved process. As soon as a book passes downwardly from position A to position B, the operator may place another book to be printed in position A, although automatic feed means (not shown) of suitable structure and operation may be provided. Likewise, when a book leaves the machine from position D, it may automatically be removed by means of a conveyor (not shown). Position A is merely a feeding position while in the successive positions B, C and D the books are being operated on or processed simultaneously but in which positions different successive steps are being performed, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The stationary inclined platen bed or chute down which the books slide to their successive positions comprises a plurality of fiat boards or plates 6!, 62, G3 and 64 mounted on and extending between the inclined top edges of the right and left side frames and 2|. As shown more par ticularly in Fig. 6, the boards 52, 63 and 54 are spaced apart but a slight distance but the space between the boards GI and 62 is substantial. This latter space, however, is bridged by the bottom wall of a rocker chute 65 in its normal position so that together the board 6|, the rocker chute 65 and the boards 62, B3 and 64 provide an inclined platen bed or chute. In order to facilitate the downward passage of the books from position to position, a plurality of sheets of timpin paper (not shown) arranged in shingle fashion may be used.

' Position A Referring now more specifically to. the mechanism which is operable in and comprises position A of the improved machine and shown more particularly in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, there is secured to the upper inclined surface of the board 6| an adjustable chute comprising upstanding adjustable side guide plates 66 and 61, composed of sheet metal and having horizontal transversely slotted flanges 68 and 69 which are engaged by thumb bolts 1!) and 'il, respectively. The guides 66 and 6! by the foregoing construction may, therefore, be readily adjusted transversely of the machine to accommodate books of different heights. A book with its opening edges directed forwardly and downwardly may be placed at the top of the machine by the operator with its bottom leaf in contact with the board 6| and it may thereafter slide downwardly by gravity between the guide plates 66 and 6'! until its front opening edges are engaged by an automatic stop 12 which is pivoted on an upstanding stud 13 mounted in the board 6|. The stop 12 is provided with a counterbalance portion 14 which normally urges the stop 12 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot "!3 into bookengaging position, this counterclockwise movement being limited by an upstanding lug 15 carried by the board BI and adapted to engage the counterbalance portion 14. The weight of a book is greater than the counterbalance portion H and therefore to prevent the stop 12 from pivoting in a clockwise direction to permit passageof the book downwardly there is provided an upstanding locking stud 17, which, as shown in Fig. 6, is pivotally connected on the upper end of an arm 18 below the board 6i and extends upwardly through a supporting guide bracket 78a, the cross brace 23 and the bed 6! beyond which it projects into the path of movement of the counterbalance 14.

During the cycle of machine operation when the book in position A is to be released to slide downwardly to position B, the locking stud 1'! is retracted downwardly below the counterbalance portion 74 to permit the stop 72 to be forced in a clockwise direction out of the path of the book. Retraction of the stud 17 is accomplished automatically upon machine operation by means of the following structure. As shown more particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the lower end of the arm I8 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a cam bar 19 which is provided with a peaked cam portion and pivoted on a cross shaft 8| extending between and beyond the left and right side frames 2| and 20. The cam portion 80 of the cam bar 79 is urged into engagement with a roller carrier sleeve 76 secured on the drive shaft 32 for rotation therewith and the locking stud 11 is urged into fully projected position above the board 6 I, by means of a spring 82 which is tensioned be tween the upper end of the cam bar 19 and the cross brace 23. Retraction of the stud 71 is accomplished by means of a roller 83 extending between two spaced annular collars forming a roller carrier 84 and secured to the carrier sleeve 16 for rotative movement therewith. The roller 83 is so positioned on the carrier 84 that it will, when it is desired to permit the book in position A to advance, engage the cam portion 83 and rock the cam bar 19 rearwardly, thus effecting retraction of the stud I! by downward movement of the arm 18.

After the book has passed downwardly by gravity on the inclined platen bed to position B and the roller 83 has passed beyond the cam portion 80 of the cam bar 19, the stop 72 under the urge of the counterbalance portion [4 restores itself to normal book-engaging position and the stud T1 is again projected up through the board 6! to stop looking position. When the stop 72 has been fully restored and locked the operator may'then insert another book in feeding position A on the machine. Although not shown in the drawings, it is apparent that suitable mechanism may be devised for automatically delivering books to pc- Sitioll A.

Home

When thehoohfrom position A slides down: wardly toward p.0sitin B, it asses between transver slly adjustable guide plates 85 -and 81 which are similar general structure. and operation to: guide'plates fid and 61 of position A and which; are mounted on the rocker chute-65=formovement therewith; Downward movement of" the book :is. continued-until its loweropening edges engage a pain of; upstanding retractable pin 88:- and 88 which are mounted on-a transverse: carrier 86: i belowthe platenhoard 62' and; serve to correctly: pOsition-theboohin position B: It -is-in stageor position-B that'the type-members-fi-Ton the move ableibed-3 4* are Y caused to bear "against and print-z on" theo ening edges of the leaves of the: book, although in this position the -=book must-1-firstbe: properly clampedg flexed and compressed; against: movement in preparation-for engagement with n the-type members;

Asfshown-in Figs; 5 and G anddn detail in Figs,' 7 to; inclusive; of the drawings the rocker chute- -comprises-a flat-bottom wall: fim forming partof the inclined platen bed when-in normal" non-prixitingposition, and-longitudinally:extend ing and upstanding side walls -91 and; 92 on eachside ofthebottom wall; Thesidewalls Stand: 92 are secured to the inner faces of: U '-shaped'- bearingmembers 93 and 94- which are: fixedly mqunted -onarcrossrock' shaft 95 for roek move-e mer t therewith; the cross rockshaft 9 5 being joqrnaledjn-theside frames ZB and 2 The-bot tom-ywall" SIS-extends only -rearwardly' fromthe reek-shaft 95"and platen board? 62 extends for. wardl y" therefrom: under theiorward portions of the'rookerehute-sidewalls-91'and92z In order-to'sec rely hold and clamp-"a b'ook': as

iteigiiexed uponrearward anddownward rock ing movemen-t; of the-rocker chute 65 s0 that the 'baek-edges thereof are-maintained in theipnor mal-relative positions; there is provided an ad'- justablewross-bar 91: (Figs.- i to -10; inclusive)" supported at its respeetive endsby -boltsfls which" are -tlireadedly: reeeived within: spaced; threaded o enings in the U-Shaped bearin amember 931- and More eaeh side ofithe =r0cker-chute65.i Beneath the -cross ban-fl 1 there;-is:a--floating-clampbar 99.l supported at its: respective ends-on-b01tS: I Mbwhi-eh: extend downwardly: 'f1'0m--th8---I:8Sp8C-u tive endsr of the cross mar-:91 Within the central openings of the bearingmembersQ S nand= 94: I Therespeetive ends ofthe fioating c1amp=ba1 *S9;1)r9- V jeet'-lthrough and beyond the bearing-'members: 9$and94g and the'loar is free1y:mounted:'on the boltsel 0fltffonvertical-movementrelative theretm-w theeventicaltmovement :beingcontrolled by:-'8r-'p1l1-.- ralityofi -spaced compressmn springs-- l 01 extend e t ly between and spac-ing -thei'cross bar- 912 'andatheifioating bar r994: As shown :more-particularlyin-Eigs. Prand 101 of itheidrawings; a r-ear wardlyra nd upwardly; extending "guide plate. [02 isz-securedi to rthemnderside ois'the fioating clampi banand serves todirect theopening edges of the: book:'leavesi under lthe clampbar 99 where the:

been; an e e thisp nd as sehowns inew f afi 1514i thereafte theboph eco es l mpeimithemele and-15 ithe drawings thereare anal: Qi-.. T s rms-J04 having inwardlxd nepted;tuds. a: h iriorw d ends .adaptedte neaee en s ex. urfaces; of, e PIOJQ lJiR ends, o hepfioa ineu.

l mp- =1 T sel it nearms; 1- 4 are-pivot d inter e iate eir, nds n. n ns fli ro ec ing; inwardly. from. the sidev frames; 2,0. and U ensil-L he rb i re tednear end, a ena /Me l cennsi teda to, pa ed. odsilflfl exten ine unwardly fr m. add e] as (fiies-fi ldandl i whi hseddle has downw rdly, nd/re xwardly extent ins, ferlie. arms H0 pivoted to the upper ends oica-meh erfi y l l I. and H 2'- alsg, 'piyoteclv on; thfizcijoss, sl lfiitifll Theacamzbar llj. and U2 areheldagaimt sleeve, ngs-i-l 5amaze adepted-tqibelene w 5 1 a 4. e 1y bmoll rs illuo at. ly. suppprteclzin ,rol er. ear. ,ersgl I 5. and JJ alsh msmntedl n, the, carr eeve. n. thex l sha tfil. Thus when. hem hineicyclejrequiMi passa e 2 a oki po tion :B.: 1?. 8im; ars U nd! 1 zie eaee with theroliers I13 uponi p a iom oiqtheca rier. sleeic -16,,andither wardends thewliftipgmarms lM, are. pulled id wnwa dlxeb 1 therodsel 4 ft, by,rahlnetheforw rdi nds0 .therarmsi. M and. ,con e uem mthejn a ine am bar 99,-" Whena.boekihasslid; mz nwardlsitoxtremanositi naea nsttheist pins-# and. 1.18; n position thefloatinefclamn zb iamis el asedr. from; s, raised.-v nositioriiby-j e. mass. QL-the rollers. U dbeyond thfi Cain: barsg-l L andal 1-2,,anfit.

er;v chut 5. it he. o ce:- fv the comeressi J hrine l heifloa ine clamnb r-z fii nee he,book-imtermedia eiitsif pnti nd: ear; 'e v erteizthebo ls. e l mpeclasra yea senpe k n m v mentot. heeroelseri ute fifialsei feoiecluno mo em nt ofkthermqvab ei ed .4 5 ward .p inenositioni means. oi t eiell win arraneementoi;pa tt sprockets. 1:1 am keyediony the res fictiveendseof theeroclgshaihflfizwhic projects be ond the si e r m sifl n .1 n mesh withkcnains 1 l9." whose ,ends -e 9 d::d W;,1. ,7

a dlm andfor ardha herefrom fi he idep e emaQhme-fi he hai sJJs are nsione nve e. sprockets, 1 y! meanstoisprings. 11- nd;

i-a e r sti earward ein ;ceused n vot in ewed nrl es- 1.. min pons neeeementioizthe yi r heeavy prin s i -an char.v tends the-a ight spr n t ngs ast mtete Propket i-end t e ock-:shaidfifiinaecqunte c w e recti n; the eby e s nerthe; rpekerw chutefiS witha beokm amn d 2 i1ii,' ;ab)yfi:-.

e rd y. asshqwnlinlt Zane;- of tn when he r k s- 1111., ea he i tswetationalz;

limit, the heavy springs I2I then become extendedby continued movement of the bracket arms I22. In this position the book will be bent orfiexed around the rocker shaft 95 preparatory forj printing with the forward portions of the book adjacent the opening edges supported on the platen board 62. When the bed 34 is moved in a reverse direction after the printing operation; the springs I29 ser e to pull the rocker chute 65 back into its normalposition, since the force'of the heavier springs is released by such bed movement.

In order to retain the rocker chute 65 in a fixed book flexing position so as to correctly position the opening edge of the lower leaf from book to book, there is provided a downwardly extending locking arm I28 pivoted on a bracket I29 secured on the underside of the cross brace 23 and having its upper curved end pivotally connected to a link I39 which in turn is pivoted to a cam bar I3I (Figs. 1, 2, 12, 14 and 15). The cam bar I3I is pivoted to a bracket I32 secured on the under side of the top cross brace 22 and extends downwardly and terminate in a curved end which engages the sleeve I6. The lower end of the looking arm I28 is notched for engagement with the side and upper surface of the rocker chute cross bar 91 prior to, during, and immediately following the printing operation. The cam bar I3I is adapted to be engaged by a roller I33 in a roller carrier I34 and held in the rearward position shown in Figs. 2 and 12, rearward movement of the cam bar I3I causing the notched end of the locking bar I28 to be rocked forwardly into engagement with the rocker chute cross bar 91 after the rocker chute '65 has been rocked rearwardly. The locking arm I28, therefore, serves to lock the rocker chute 65 in fixed position which is definite and constant from book to book and fixes the resting point of the opening edge of the bottom sheet of the book on the platen board 62. A spring I35 tensioned between the cam bar I3I and the locking arm I 28 serves to return the said bar and armto their inoperative position after the roller I33 passes out of engagement with the cam bar I3I upon completion of the printing operation.

In order to clamp the book in its flexed position down against the rocker shaft 95 to facilitate the printing operation, there are provided a plurality of flexible clamping members comprising chains I 31 having their upper ends secured in spaced relation to the forward face of the floating clamp bar 99 and having their other end secured-in spaced relation to a tapered transverse pressure bar I38 to which is fastened a pressure plate I39. The pressure bar I38, which is adapted to engage and be pressed downwardly against the top leaf of the book adjacent its opening edge, is supported above the platen board 62 by vertical side arms I49 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5), and the arms I40 extend downwardly on either side of the machine through guide brackets I4I projecting from the side frames 29 and 2 I. The ends of the arms I40 and the brackets I4I are provided with horizontally directed pins I42 and I 43, respectively, between which are connected springs I44, forming a resilient means for supporting the pressure bar I38 and normally urging it to raised position. In order to return the pressure bar I38 to its normal spaced position shown in Fig. 1, there are provided a pair of springs I48 having their lower forward ends secured to the platen board 33 and their respective upper rearward ends connected to the lower ends of wires I451;

12 fastened in spaced relation to the pressure bar I38.

The pressure to be transmitted downwardly against the flexed book in position B by the chains i3? and the pressure bar I38 is provided by means of pressure cam bars I45 and I45c on each side of the machine pivoted at I41 toward their rearward ends to rearwardly directed ears I48 on the side frames 20 and 2I. As shown in Fig. 6, the cam bar I 450 is curved to provide clearance for the fixed stud 55 on the left side frame H. The cam bars I45 and I45c have upper cam surfaces I49 at their forward ends and a plurality of shims I50 bolted to the under surfaces cf those ends to provide adjustable bear ing members adapted to engage the top surface of the pressure bar I 38. Adjustment for the processing of different publications may be offected by varying the thickness of the shims I50 in the bearing members. The cam bars I 45 and I45c are normally urged to raised position against limiting stops I45b by springs I45c tensioned between the rearward ends of the cam bars I45 and I45c and the side frames 20 and 2|. The

pressure engagement of the pressure cam bars I45 downwardly against the top of the tapered pressure bar I 38 is effected by means of rollers I5I mounted on the movable bed 34 near its upper rearward portions and which will engage the forward portions of cam surfaces I49 of the cam bars, I45 and I45c, as the bed 34 approaches its printing position, and forces the pressure bar I38 downwardly against the top leaf of the book adjacent its opening edge. Thi action, operating through pressure chains l3I, pulls rocker chute G5 in a clockwise direction against the tension of heavy springs I2I until the shoulder of the locking arm I29 stops this clockwise movement of the cross bar 97 and the rocker chute B5. The rearward portions of the cam surfaces I49 are of such an are that full and constant pressure is applied to the pressure bar I38, and consequently to the pressure chains I3! and to the book, immediately preceding, during and immediately following the actual printing impression.

After the rocker chute 65 has been locked in its proper rearward position by the locking arm I28, continued downward movement of the pressure bar I38 actuated by engagement of cam barsv I 45 and I45c with the rollers I5I causes the.

pressure chains I37 to be pulled under relatively great pressure around and downwardly against the curving upper surface of the flexed book, the

chain pressure and that of the pressure bar.I 38

therefore being substantially radially inwardly against the rock shaft and downwardly against the platen board 62. By the foregoing construction embodying the fixation of the position of the pressure cams I45 and I45c by the pressure rollers I5I, the resting point or the point to which the opening edge of the top sheet is forced is constant or fixed from book to book regardless of reasonable variations in the thickness of the paper of which successive books may be composed. Since the degree of pressure applied to respective books is dependent upon the thickness of the paper, the pressure will be less where the paper is thinner, the pressure rollers I5I-- being in operably fixed positions and the cam bars I45 and I45c incapable of being pressed downwardly. thereby the additional extent per-. mitted by the thinner paper. Under such conditions the opening edge of the top leafof the book will always arrive at the desired and same. j

fixed point as that of the initial book to which the;.-type.has.been set upin, proper; re istry Conversely. .iithe thicknesses oi the paper leaves.

comprising, a book should be thicker than the initial one, thenv the pressure exerted againstv the book by the cam bars I45 willbe greater butflthezopening edgev of the top leaf upon full compression will attain the samefixed point as the-opening edges of the initial or. thinner leaved, books. Thus, the opening edges of the upper. and-lower. sheets of respectivebooks arealways forced to;.the.same fixed positions and the spread oitheopeninggedges 'ofarespective books, or, in otherlwords the' distance between the opening edges of. thetop and bottom leaves of respectivei beoks; when in printing position, will be thmsame from bookto book and no consequent adjustment isrequired after, the mechanism has.

been set up .to, handle paperleaves of :a, certain rangeef thickness. As aresult, the index which will be printed on theopeningedges of the books willbein proper registry even though the paper of.: the;leav es of'books may vary somewhat.

Although thefloatingclamp bar 99, the chains.

I 31 {and the ,pressure bar I38 compress the .book inwardly against the rock shaft 95. and the platenboard 62 in position B; theopening edges of the leavesof the book upon which the prints.

ingimpressions .aretobemade are still'almost wholly uncompressed and would be capable of yieldingif the. typemembers were brought to bear there against without further compression. Thus, in accordance with the present invention,

thereisprovided a pressure membercompris ing; interposed between the movable bed 34 and: the; inclined opening edges of. the book. The; pressure mat I53 is normally held away from thebook in position B during nonsprinting: by springs I51 which are tensioned 'betweengthe-mat supporting arms I55 and the side frames 20, and, 2|, respectively. Similarly, the matcl53 is-held in, spaced relationship from the movable. bed as. by. means of stop lugs I58-which arecarriedby the side frames '20 and 21 and engage the arms I55, thus preventing interference with. the operation of the'ink rollers 46 nd; 4 L

As shown indetail in Fig. 16 of the drawings, he-nressuremat I53, .whichis one form of pressure. member found capable of performing its ntended-g function, comprises a rigid backing plate; I59 to which is secured a compressible sheet or section I60..of rubber or other resilient material, and on the outer face of the compressible; sheet ISBthe-reis secured a thin contact plate; I61. of metal or other smooth surfaced material againstwhich the opening edges may relatively move uponflengagement' therewith. Theplate I59; the compressible sheet I59 and the;.,con tact plate I6I are each cutaway to provide. openings I52. which will be in alignment with the type'lmembers 51 when in printing-positron. Otherformsof pressure mats may be Ffiillzed; instead of. that dislosed in the drawri s:-

For. instance, compression springs assofit-W1thzlTl8ll2t1 stripsopera-ting between the type members. may. 'beutilizedwith satisfactory results; The;onlyzreguirementgis that theopen-r s e es be, compres ed;- o a subst ntia ly; yielding surface prior to and during. printin I i lik wi e. appar nttha t e re sure member;

may. be made incompressible and that the type, members a .be made movab -spasm ro ect therethrough after compression: oi the hook, opening? edges.

Whenthe bed 3.4...rockstq the left, as viewed in; Figs. 1'. and 2 toward closed 2 printing .position, it) engagesthe pressuremat' I53 and-causes itaalsoi to be rocked Ito the-left, the, mat .openings lfig; being in registry with the .type memberszSl. upon initial engagementand this. registry-being mains tined 1 thereafter until completion of .:the,-.printing-; operation due to the. fact that the mat; and type; members follow thesame are in movement, Upon continued movement-of the bed 34; the, pressure mat I53 will-first engaggthg-ipglipgd; printing surface formed-bythe opening edges'of-ithe. book but the, type members; B'ii will still be. spacedaWayfro-m the opening; edges ,byV-the pres-3 sure mat I53. However, uponcontinuedamoveg. merit of the bed: 3.4", the .mat I53 .is;-comp ressed; under pressure and. the type members 5:! enter; through theopenings- I52 therein so as .tob'ear against andprint on the opening edges of: the, leaves and the marginal top: surfamesv of leaves; adj a-cent. the openingv edges. As the. mat: I53.. is..' compressed between the bed 3'dx'andrthei book, a. substantial pressure is. applied against the: in: clined printing surfaceof the openingtedges 1 of: the book so that theportions of thaleaves1-beestween the plane. ofs their opening edges: and: thestationary platen board 62: aresumcientl'y com.-, pressed. This compression of 'the-op'ening' edges' in a direction perpendicular to the surface of: their inclined plane, together. with the confining pressure provided by pressure bar I38, pressure chains I37, bookclamp 99, andthelockedpositier- 1 of rocker, chute 65, presents a substantially, rigid or solid printing surface which is relatively unyieldable when engaged by the type members. 5T. As a result, the printing impressionsflrfi clear andsharp.

Upon completion of. the printing operation, the bed is rocked-back to open Fig. l.position,and. the mat I53- under'the urge of springs I5.I fol=.- lows the bed away from, the book until the arms I55are engaged bythe lugs I58. .Atthej same time, as explainediabove, the vpressureJosu- I38. is released by disengagement'ofi pressure. cams I 45 and I450 from rollers I5,I and .is re; mov'edirom the book by thespringsltkthe pres-. sure applied by the chains I37 likewise being released. This-j release of pressure permits 'heavyj spri s I2 I i to move rocker chute B5 in acounte f-v' clockwise direction outof engagement with lock:- ing arm I28Iwhich is then retracted as previously described. Rocker chute 65 is thenmoved lnja, clockwise directionby the tension of light vsprings I20, tension oftheavy springs I2I being released. bymovement of bed 3.4. Theibook is thus re-j stored'to-normal position. with its openingedges in a plane substantially perpendicular to, the; plane of the. leaves. Floating clamp-bar 95113 thenraisedout oi. contactwith. the book, atwhich, time the book will slide downwardly-from.posl do -B to p s t onr th stop p ns 88 and 89 have s pr viously been retracte pon movement; or; the bed 34. to printing position. Themechanism for eiiecting such. retraction will now be-described; with reference-to Figs. 6,. 14 and 15. The carrier which-supports thestop 1311352188; andi '89 also supports similar but sllghtly longerf 15- pins I63 and I84, also projecting upwardly through the platen board 62 on either side of pins 88 and 89. The pins I63 and I84 are engaged by lugs I65 carried on either side of the chase 59 on the movable bed 34 as the bed approaches printing position, and they are de-= pressed thereby so as to effect depression of the pin carrier 88 and the stop pins 88 and 89 below the top surface of the platen board 82. The carrier 86 is yieldably supported on the under side of the platen board 62 by springs I61 which encircle the pins I63 and I64, and which are adapted to be extended when the pins I53 and I64 are depressed by lugs I65 and to return the pins to their normal position projecting above the platen board 62. However, after the pins 88, 89, I63 and I64 have been depressed by the lugs I65 on the bed 84, the carrier 86 is engaged by a shoulder I68 on an angular locking arm I69, as shown in Fig. 15, in order that the pins 88 and 89 may be locked in retracted position until after the printing operation and after the book has slid on to position C. The locking arm I69 is pivoted to a bracket I10 mounted on the under side of the platen board 62 and is adapted to engage the carrier sleeve 16 and the roller I33 of roller carrier I 34, previously described. When roller I33 engages the upper end of the locking arm I69, that arm is rocked in a clockwise direction so as to raise the shoulder I68 and release the carrier 86. The roller I 33 does not engage the locking arm I69 until after the book has passed downwardly by gravity to position C. The pins 88 and 89 are thus released to their normal position where they will stop and support the next succeeding book sliding down from feeding position A.

Position 0 As the book passes downwardly by gravity to position C from position 13 after being printed, it passes between transversely adjustable guide plates HI and I12, which are also similar in general structure and operation to the guide plates of positions A and B, until it comes to rest against a counterbalanced stop I13 pivotally supported in a notch at the forward lower edge of the platen board 63 as at I16. This stop I13 is retained in book-arresting position by a notched latch bar I14 pivoted at its rearward end to a bracket I15 secured to the under surface of the platen board 63 at its upper end. The latch bar I14 is urged up into stop-latching position. by a spring I11 and its upward movement is limited by a saddle stop I18 also depending from the under side of the platen board 63. Upon the completion of the operation in position C, the stop I13 is released by clockwise movement of the latch arm I14, the movement being effected by downward movement of a connecting arm I19 which .is pivoted at its upper end to the latch bar I14 and at its lower end to the lower end of a vertically extending cam bar I80. Like the. cam bars 19, III and H2, the cam bar I80 is also pivoted on the transverse shaft BI and its upper end is adapted to be engaged and rocked to the right by a roller I8I mounted in a roller carrier I82 on the carrier sleeve 16 (Fig. 13). When the cam bar I80 is engaged and rocked to the right by theroller I8 I, the latch bar I14 is pulled downwardly, thus permitting the stop I13 to turn on its pivot I18 and to release the book to position D.

In position 0 one of the controlled off-setting steps of my improved process is performed and in accordance with which the book is permitted to remain in normal unfiexed position and pressure is applied against the surface of the top sheet adjacent the opening edges so as to compress the book at its opening edges against the platen board 63. By applying pressure perpendicularly to the plane of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, the ink impression which has been printed on the upper surfaces of the leaves adjacent their opening edges is definitely offset, while still wet, onto the under surfaces of the leaves immediately thereabove adjacent their opening edges. To this end, there is provided a pressure assembly comprising upstanding bracket arms I83 mounted on the inner sides of the side frames 20 and 2I and to the upper ends of which are pivoted rearwardly and upwardly extending offset pressure arms I84. Intermediate the ends of the pressure arms I84 is a cross bar I85 extending therebetween and having guide plates I81 depending on the ends thereof. The guide plates I81 are slotted to receive pins I88 projecting outwardly from the ends of a floating pressure bar I09 and this pressure bar is yieldably maintained in spaced relationship below the cross bar I 85' by a plurality of compression springs I90 positioned over studs I 9| on the upper surface of the pressure bar I89. The pins I 89 are adapted to ride in the slots of the guide plates I81 as the floating pressure bar I89 moves toward or away from the cross bar I85 upon the increase or' decrease in pressure. As a book slides down into position C against the stop I13, the pressure assembly above described is held in the raised, inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 by means of compression springs I86, but as the movable bed 34 approaches printing position, the upper rearwardly extending ends of the pressure arms I84 are engaged and forced downwardly by rollers I82 carried on the ends of brackets I93 adjustably mounted on the inner respective sides of the legs of the movable bed 34. Downward movement of the pressure arms I84 causes the floating pressure bar I89 to engage the surface of the top sheet of the book adjacent the opening edges, and when the bed 34 is in full printing position, the springs I90 will be somewhat compressed and, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the leaves of the book adjacent the opening edges will likewise be compressed. This application of pressure will effect a definite controlled offsetting of the ink to the under surfaces of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, as above described.

After completion of the printing operation, the

return of the bed 34 to open position will re lease the pressure assembly of position C to its raised position of Fig. l, and thereafter, as above described, the latch bar I14 will release the stop I13 and permit the book to progress to position D for a further controlled offsetting operation.

Position D As the book passes downwardly by gravity to position D after the application of the'straight line, offsetting pressure, it passes'between transversely adjustable guide plates I94 and I95 until it again comes to rest on the platen board '64 against a counterbalanced stop I91-pivoted adjacent its upper end to a bracket I98. The bracket I98 is rigidly mounted on the top of an upstanding transverse hanger I98 secured to the side frames 20 and 2I at their lower ends. The stop I91 is held in upright book-arresting position by the engagement of its lower end with -anotched' latch bar 200 extending at right angles to the ofthe carrier.

stop I91 underneath the platen board 64 and having its upper rearward end pivoted to a bracket 20I secured to the under surface ofthe platen board 64. The latch bar 200 is held up in stop-engaging position by a spring 202 and. its counterclockwise movement is limited by a saddle stop 203, both the spring 202 and the stop 203 being secured to the under side of the platen board 64.

In order to release the stop I91 and to permit the book to pass out of the machine upon the completion of the last operation in position D, there is provided a connecting rod 204 having its forward end pivotally connected to the latch bar 200 intermediate its ends and its rearward end pivoted to the lower end of cam bar 205. The cam bar 205 is also pivoted on the cross shaft 8| and, as shown in Figs. 6 and 12, its upper end is adapted to be engaged and rocked forwardly by the'roller I33 of roller carrier I34 upon rotation As the cam bar 205 is rocked forwardly, the connecting rod 204 is moved rearwardly, pullingthe latch bar 200 out of latching contact with the stop I91. and permitting the stop to pivot as the book slides down under its own weight.

The, vertical side'plates of the hanger I99 are slotted and serve as vertical guides for pins which project outwardly from the ends of a transverse floating clamp 208, the clamp 208 being confined for vertical movement therebetween and being spaced below and from the hanger I99 by a plurality of compression springs 209 positioned over studs 206 mounted on the'floating clamp 208. A plurality of fiat band springs 2I0 are attached to the underside of the floating clamp 208 and their forward ends, which extend forwardly beyond the chute board 64, are joined together by a transverse tie strip 2| I, Similarly, a plurality of flat band springs 2I2 are secured to the platen board 64 and also attached to their forward projecting ends are a similar transverse tie strip 2I3 and also an auxiliary cross bar 2| 4 having rollers 2 I 5 mounted on its respective ends.

In order to permit the books to pass freely 2:45 into and out of position D, a rearwardly extending guide plate 2II is attached to the under side of the floating clamp 208 and the floating clamp, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is held in raised position by arms 2I8 pivotally connected at their 15'0 upper ends to the clamp bar pins 201 and at their lower ends to forward ends of cam bars 2 I9. The rear-ward ends of the cam bars 2 I 9 are pivoted to pins 220 projecting from the'side frames 20 and 2|, and the lower edges of these cam bars are provided with a cam's'urfacefor engagement with rollers 22I mounted 'on the inner respective sides of the legs of the movable bed. In normal position shown in Figf-l, the clamp bar 208 and the flat springs 2H! are held in elevated position by the cam bars 2I9 and rollers'22 I, but after a book has reached the position against the stop I91 and as the bed 34 moves to printing position, the rollers 22I are moved rearwardly out of engagement with the cam bars 2 I 9, thereby permittin the floating clamp 208' tobe pressed by the compression springs 200 downwardly against the upper surface of the book at a point somewhat removed from the opening edges thereof. In this clamped position the free opening edges of the book forwardly of the clamp 208 are supported in flat position under spring tension by the band springs 2I0 and H2, which serve to resist flexing movement of the book either up or down.

18 =-After the book has been clamped under tension in the manner just described, and as the bed 34 is continued to be rocked to printing position,

cam bars 222 which are secured to the lower cross brace 3411 between the vertical legs of the bed 34 and project forwardly therefrom under the chute board '64, are caused to engage and'lift the rollers 2I 5 against the tension of the flat springs 2H) and '2I2. This bends thesprings 210 and 2 I2 upwardly and flexes the book in a direction opposite to that in which'it Was flexed .for printing in position B. As the book is so flexed, th marginal portions of the upper surfaces of the leaves adjacent their opening edges are caused to :Wipe or slide against the under surfaces of the leaves immediately thereabove and adjacent their opening edges, thereby effecting another definite, controlled offsetting of the wet ink from one surface to the other.

When the bed 34 returns to normal position. the cam bars 222 are rocked downwardly,'permitting the book to returnto unflexed position. In returning to normal position, the surface portions of the leaves thereof again wipe or slide against each other but in the reverse direction. As the bed 34 moves toward its fully open position of Fig. .1, the floating clamp 208 and band springs 2I0 are raised and the stop I91 is unlatched, permitting the completely processed book to pass out of the machine.

Itis to be understood that in positionD th book maybe flexed downwardly, as well'as upwardly, with the opening edges thereof under compression vin order 'to accomplish satisfactory and effective offsetting. This could be readilyaccomplished'bya change in the shape of the cam bars 222 and by a change in the position of'the rollers 22 I Swmmary of operation When in operation, the machine above described is being continuously driven by a. source of power and four books'may be passing through the machine at one time for the progressive performance of the steps of my improved process thereon. When a book is in feeding position "A on the inclined platen chute, a second'boo'kis in position B in flexed condition being printed on its opening and adjacent exposed edges, a third book is in position C in unflexed condition being compressed adjacent its openingedgesto accomplish the, first-controlled offsetting step, and the fourth book is in position D being flexed under compression in a direction opposite to that in which it was flexed for-printing to accomplish the second or weavingstep of the offsetting procedure. When the operations in posi-- tions B, C and D are completed, the stops I91, I13 and 12 of positions D, C and A are released in sequence, allowing sufficient time to permit sliding of the respective books into their next positions, it being understood, however, that the stop pins 88 and 89 of position B were previously retracted upon movement of the bed 34 to printing position.

When the book slides downwardly into position B against the stop, pins 88 and 89, it is clamped intermediate its back and opening edgesin the rocker chute 65 by the floating clamp bar 90, after which, as the bed 34 moves to printing position, the rocker chute 65 is rocked rearwardly-so as to flex the book over the rock shaft 'and incline the opening edges of the book for printing. The, book is further'clamped around the rock shaft 95 and against the chute board by feh 'ga'gement'of rollers II on the bed withthe cain' bars I45 and [45c which press downwardly the pressure bar I38 and draw chains I31 forwardly and downwardly against the flexed book.

so doing, the rocker chute 65 is locked in a fixedrearw'ard position by locking arm I28 so that theopening'edge of the lower page of the book isin the desired fixed and constant position, with thechains I31 conforming-to the upper curved --surrace o'fthe book. The combined mechanism serves to correctly position the opening edge of the top leaf 'of'the book at the desired fixed point, regardless of reasonable variations of the thickness of the paper thereof. The resulting inclined printing-surface formed by the opening edges of the :book is-then compressed upon'engagement with and -compression of the resilient mat I53 just before printing so as to present a substantially unyielding printing surface for engagement with the type members. Upon completion of printingiand during return of the bed 34 to open position, thelocking arm I28, pressure bar' I38 and the chains I31 are released, the rocker chute 65 isrocked upwardly to normal position and the .fldating clamp bar 99 is raised, thereby permitting the printed book to slide down to position C.

In position C the pressure bar-'I89 is pressed against the book adjacent its opening edges in a I direction perpendicular thereto by engagement of the rollers I92 with the ends of the pressure arms I84 so that the wet ink impressions on the upper surfaces: of the leaves adjacent their opening edges are offset onto the under surfaces of the the book to slide downwardly to position D against stop I91.

In position D the book is flexed upwardly under .pressurebetween the fiat'springs 2| I] and H2 in a'direction opposite to that in which it was flexed for printing so as to cause a further controlled offsetting on the under surfaces of the sheets by a wiping or sliding action. This reverse flexing or weaving is accomplished by the cams 222 upon .movement. of the bed 34 to and from printing position. Uponreturn of the bed 34 to open position, the book is unfiexed and then unclamped and; upon release of, the stop I91 slides downwardlyout of the machine. I

Uponinspection of abo'ok whose edges have been. printed by the improved machine above described and in accordance with the steps of the improved process, clear, sharp printing impressions "may be observed on the opening edges of the individual leaves and also on the upper and lower surfaces'of the leaves adjacent their opening edges, so that no. matter whether the opening 'edges are in normal position or whether the book :isflexed in either direction, the printing will be ldistinctly visible. It will also be found that the printing, regardless of reasonable variations in the thicknesses of the paper leaves of successive books of the same run, will be in proper and correct registry with the intended pages.

' Although there has been shown in the drawings and described above an improved printing .'ma'chine and process embodying my invention, it :will be apparent that variations and modifications may be'made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the following claims to include within the scope'of the invention all variati'ons and modifications by which the results of 20 the invention may be'obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means or steps.

I claim:

l. The process of printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books so that the printed impressions will be in substantial registry with the intended leaves thereof regardless of reasonable variations of the thicknesses of the leaves of successive books, which comprises flexing a book intermediate its back and opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and with the opening edge of the bottom leaf thereof being held to a predetermined position, then moving the'upper leaf thereof under pressure applied over'an area from its opening edge to a point rearwardly therefrom to compress said leaves under said area and then limiting the extent of said compressing movem'ent to a predetermined fixed position to'limit movement of the opening edge of the said upper leaf to a predetermined fixed position, whereby the opening edges of the upper and lower leaves of successive books may be successively placed in the same fixed positions for printing.

2. The process of printing upon the opening edgesof the leaves of books so that the printed impressions will be in substantial registry with the intended leaves thereof regardless of reasonable variations of the thicknesses of. the paper leaves of successive books, which comprises clamping the book under pressure intermediate its back and opening edges to maintain the back edges thereof in their normal relationship at all times, flexing the book intermediate its back and front opening edges about a radius so as to arrange the opening edges in a plane inclined to the plane. of the leaves and with the opening edge of the bottom leaf thereof being held to a predetermined position, then moving the upper leaf thereof under pressure applied between its clamped area and its opening edge to compress said leaves and then limiting the extent of said compressing movement to a predetermined fixed position to limit movement of the opening edge of said upperleaf to a predetermined fixed position, whereby the opening edges of the upper and lower leaves'of successive books may be successively placed in the same fixed positions for printing.

3. A machine for printing on the opening edges of books'which comprises a supporting frame, a book supporting platen mounted on said frame, means for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves, pressure means for compressing said book when in flexed condition in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the leaves thereof and engageable with the upper leaf thereof adjacent its opening edge, at the top of the inclined plane,.'a bed mounted on the frame, type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for effecting relative movement between said platen and said bed from open to closed printing position and return, and a pressure member adapted to engage and bear against said inclined opening edges prior to engagement of said type members therewith so as to compress said opening edges into a substantially rigid and unyielding printing surface.

4. A machine'for printing on the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a book supporting platen mounted on said frame,

aeoamv means for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves, a bed mounted on said frame,

projecting type members carried on said bedand adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for effecting relative movement between said platen and said bed from open to closed printing position and return, and a pressure member having openings therein interposed between said platen and said bed and adapted to bear against inclined opening edges prior to engagement of the type members therewith whereby the opening edges are compressed into a substantially rigid and unyielding printing surface and said type members project through said pressure member openings to engage said opening edges.

5. A machine forprinting on the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a stationary book supporting platen mounted on said frame, means supported on said frame for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves, a movable bed mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved from open to closed printing position and return, projecting type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, and a cornpressible pressure member having openings therein between said platen and said movable bed and adapted to bear against said inclined opening edges prior to engagement of said type members therewith and to be compressed upon movement of said bed to printing position whereby the opening edges are compressed into asubstantially rigid and unyielding printing surface and said type members project through said pressure member openings and engage said opening edges.

6. A machine for printing on the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a stationary book supporting platen mounted on said frame, means supported on said frame for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the'o'pening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves, a movable bedpivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to be rocked from open to closed printing position andreturn, projecting type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, and a compressible pressure'member'interposed in spaced relation from and between said platen and said bed and mounted for movement in-the same are as said bed, said pressure member being provided with openings and adapted to be engaged and forced against said inclined opening edges and to be compressed by said bed upon movement thereof to printing position whereby the opening book edges are compressed into substantially rigid and unyielding printing surface and said type members are projected through said pressure member openings and engage said opening edges.

7. A machine for printing on the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting'frame, a stationary book supporting platen mounted on said frame, means supported on said frame for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves, a movable bed mounted on said-frame and 22' adapted to be moved from opening to closed printing positiongand return, projecting type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening. edges,

and a compressible pressure member having openings therein between said platen and" said movable bed and adapted to bearagainst said inclined opening edges prior to engagement of said type members therewith and'to be. compressed upon movement of said bed to printing position whereby the opening edges are compressed into a substantially rigid and Luiyielding printing surface and said'type members project through said pressure member openings and engage said opening edges, said pressure member comprising a back plate, a layer of resilient material secured to said back plate and-a smooth flat sheet on the outer face of said resilient layer adapted to bear against said inclined opening edges during compression thereof.

8. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a book supporting platen on said frame having a plurality of zones of operation, means operable in one zone of operation for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal surface portions of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, a bed mounted on said frame, type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print onsaid inclined opening edges, means for effecting relative movement between said platen andsaid bed from open book adjacent its opening edges in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the leaves thereof while the ink is still wet, and actuating means for effecting compressing movement of said pressure member upon relative movement between said platen and said bed to printing position.

9. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a stationary book supporting platen mounted in inclined position on said frame and having a plurality of zones of operations to which the books progressively pass by gravity, stop means for positioning a book in one zone of operation, means operable in'said one zone of operation for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so. as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal portions of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, a movable bedfmounted', on said frame and adapted to be moved from open to closed printing position and return, type ,'members carried on said bed and adaptedto engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for-restoring said book to normal position after printing with its opening edges in afplane substantially perpendicular to the plane .of the leaves, means for releasing said stop rneansto permit said book to pass by gravity to said next zone of operation, stop means for positioning said book in said next zone of operation, a pressure member operable in said second zone and adapted to'compress said book adjacent its opening edges in a direction. perpendicular-to thep'lanes of: the

23 leaves thereof, and actuating means mounted on said bed and adapted to engage and compress saidpressure member upon movement of said bed to printing position.

10. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, book-supporting platen on said frame, means for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to'arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal surface portions of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, a bed mounted on said frame, type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for effecting relative movement between said platen and'said bed from open to closed printing position and return, means for flexing said book in a direction opposite to that in which it was flexed for printing to offset the printed impressions from the upper surface edge portion of one sheet to the under surface edge portion of a sheet immediately thereabove, and means for maintaining the portions'of the book leaves at and immediately adjacent the edges thereof under pressure during flexing in said opposite direction. 1

-11. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a stationary book supporting platen on said frame and having a plurality of zones of operation, means operable in one zone of operation for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal surface portions of the leaves adjacent the openving edges, a movable bed mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved from open to closed printing position and return,-type members carried by said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for restoring said book to normal position after printing with its opening edges in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the leaves, means for passing said book to another zone of operation, means for flexing said book in said other zone of operation to offset the printed impressions from the upper surface edge portions of one sheet to the undersurface edge portions of a sheet immediately thereabove, and means for maintaining the opening edge portions of the book leaves under pressure during offsetting flexing.

12. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a stationary book supporting platen mounted in inclined position on said frame and having a plurality of zones of operations to which the books progressively pass by gravity, stop means for positioning a book in one zone of operation, means operable in said one zone of operation for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal portions of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, a movable bed mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved from open to closed printing position and return, type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for restoring said book to normal position after printing with its opening edges in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the leaves, means for releasing said stop means to permit said book to pass by gravity to said next zone of operation, a second stop means for positioning said book in said next zone of operation, means operable upon movement of said bed to printing position for flexing said book in said other zone of operation, means for maintaining the opening edge portions of the book leaves under pressure during said flexing, and means for releasing said second stop means to permit said book to pass out of said other zone of operation.

13. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a stationary book supporting platen on said frame, means for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal surface portions of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, a movable bed mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved from open to closed printing'position and return, type members carried by said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for restoring said book to normal position after printing with its opening edges in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the leaves, yieldable spring means adapted to support and compress said book at its upper and lower leaves and adjacent the opening edges thereof, and actuating means adapted upon movement of said bed to printing position to engage and flex said spring means whereby said book will be flexed to offset the printed impressions from the upper surface edge portions of one sheet to the under surface edge portions of a sheet immediately thereabove.

14. A machine for printing upon the opening edges of books which comprises a supporting frame, a book supporting platen having a plurality of zones of operation through which books successively pass, a movable bed mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved from open to closed printing position and return, means for moving said bed to and from printing position, means operable in one zone of operation for flexing a book intermediate its back and front opening edges so as to arrange the opening edges thereof in a plane inclined to the plane of the leaves and to expose the marginal surface portions of the leaves adjacent the opening edges, type members carried on said bed and adapted to engage and print on said inclined opening edges, means for restoring said book to normal position after printing, means for passing said book in normal condition to a second zone of operation, a pressure member operable in said second zone and adapted to compress said book adjacent its opening edges in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the leaves thereof while the ink is still wet, actuating means operable upon movement of said bed to and from printing position for effecting compressing movement of said pressure member and for effecting the release thereof, means for passing said book to a third zone of operation, means for flexing said book in said third zone upon movement of said bed to printing position and means for maintaining the opening edge portions of the book leaves under pressure during the flexing thereof.

15. In a machine for printing upon the opening edges of the leaves of books, a mechanism for maintaining proper registry of the printed impressions with the opening edges of the intended leaves regardless of reasonable variations of the 

